TinCap Rainout!

Carlie's school had a reading program over the winter, and we got the opportunity to attend a TinCaps game to celebrate their success. Had the weather cooperated, it would have been such a fun night! But instead, we were hit with rain delay, after rain delay. Clearly disappointed, it was supposed to be a fireworks night!! We had fun exploring the inside of the stadium in any event. As the girls get older, and our outings become more "grown up" - I love and crave the little time I get to spend with them. Soon (very soon) will be a time when Jeff and I are left behind and the girls will be busy "running around with their friends." Giggling, flirting and being a little older than they are today. I love their personalities right now, and I can't wait to see them grow into the beautiful women I know they will be.

For I Know The Plans

As I sit here tonight, enjoying the sunshine, I can count my blessings in so many ways. Stella made it through her surgery with shining colors. Each update I receive is encouraging and she is showing what a fiesty little girl can do. As I heard somebody mention, God has big plans for her. Don't you often ponder what God's plans are for our children? I can see Stella warming hearts by being a teacher like her mommy, or I can see her being a doctor and helping children her have heart defects like hers, or possibly a chemist to help prevent children from ever having to be sick. The options are endless. Yes, I do believe God has big plans for Stella. "For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to give you a hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11"

Queen Stella

This week is going to be tough. This week is going to test the faith of some of the people that is closest to me. My family. Our beautiful red haired, blue eyed Queen Stella will be traveling down to Riley Hospital this week to undergo open heart surgery. Open heart surgery sounds so scary. Add the factor that Stella is only 14 months old. It becomes even scarier. I trust. I trust God to give Ginger and Brian not only the physical strength during this stressful time, but also emotional strength. I pray that they have the ability to hold their daughter out to God with open hands. To understand that He give us these blessings called children, and He has plans for them, that are unknown to us. Not only unknown to us, but it is something that is completely out of our control. This is the part I struggle with most. I pray that they praise God during this storm.

We had the wonderful opportunity to watch Stella yesterday. As you can see, her laugh is contagious, and she adds light to anybody she is around. I look forward to laughing with her so much in the future, to many more chalk drawings, many more messes and having her grow up to be the beautiful young lady God so intends.

We love you Stella Dee, and angels WILL BE with you this week for protection...so don't get scared if you see them :)

Birthday Treats

Tomorrow is Lucy's day to bring in her birthday treats! So today we broke out the chocolate and made chocolate covered strawberries and pretzel rods. And no chocolate would be complete without LOTS AND LOTS of sprinkles. Let's just say I will be sweeping up sprinkles in my kitchen for weeks to come. It was a blessing to be home with her on this rainy day and simply enjoy being a mom. But when I tried to convince her to take a nap with me, she wasn't having it. Although she finally did agree to lay down on the couch while she watched cartoons. I remember as a baby her sleeping on my chest many times for naps. Not any more. My baby...well...isn't a baby any more.

Happy Mother's Day To Me!

To surprise our mother today, my sister's and I decided a Spa Day was in order. And you can't spa without eating of course! We had the Woodhouse Spa experience, complete with the organic sugar scrub and volcanic hot rock massage. I didn't want to leave! With all of our toes looking good, we ventured to Biaggi's for some bread and pasta. No Mother's Day can be complete without carbs! A great kick off to Mother's Day, I must admit. Happy Mother's Day!

Recent Happenings

Time goes by so fast. Add a couple of kids, work, school and sport schedules...and I am falling behind on my blogging!

* Carlie recently lost her 7th tooth. She was eating her lunch at school, and suddenly realized that she had a hole! We are under the assumption that she swallowed it. She wrote a beautiful note to the tooth fairy, and then laid the note in her Bible turned to John 3:16. She explained, "Maybe the tooth fairy doesn't know about God..we should tell her!" Ahhh...the child like faith I admire.

* Carlie and Lucy have started their TBall/Instructional softball practices. Carlie is now at coach pitch level, and they are a bit more advanced with their practices, including batting cages. This is Lucy's first year, and she is at the Tball level. After practice last night, she told Jeff "she loves baseball..." not just like, but "LOVES it." It is also very clear that Jeff has been working with her, because she is pretty darn good at it too!

* We have less than 35 days left until the end of school. It is hard for me to believe that summer is so close. Both girls have enjoyed their school years so much, and it is hard to believe that next year I will have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartener. Wow. Where did those years disappear too?

* A recent change in Carlie is the comfort her her clothes. Remember when Carlie REFUSED to wear pants, and DEMANDED to wear skirts for so many years? Now she wants nothing more but to wear sweats every day. Sweats!! We have compromised to sweats every other day, with capri's in between. I chuckle. I wonder what our next clothes battle will be? Cropped shirts? Daisy dukes? I shutter to think.

TinCaps Game

Well finally we got to visit the TinCaps Suite!! Last year the tickets were in such a high demand, that we never got to visit the most coveted suite. This year, we did! Although the TinCaps lost (we must have jinxed them), we ate lots of food, and laughed even more. The girls actually sat and watched a portion of the game, which was nice! Johnny the mascot visited our suite, and you will note that Lucy was no where to be found for this picture. Her fear of mascots has NOT subsided as of yet. Oh well, maybe next year. We shared the suite with our good friend, Beth, who recently lost her husband. And for some reason (without prompting), Lucy stuck to her like glue last night. I think children sometimes can sense sadness, or perhaps that an adult needs some extra loving. Lucy provided just that, and I think Beth was grateful. I believe God uses children to provide the physical touch he cannot give us at times. This past week, I have reconnected with many past friends, and loved it. With life being so busy, I don't think you realize how much you miss people until you spend time with them again. Note to self: make friends a priority in 2010.